Preschoolers' perceptions of performance and satisfaction under competitive and non-competitive conditions

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore preschool children's perceptions of their performance under competitive and non-competitive conditions (NCC) and their satisfaction. Eighty preschool children (40 boys, 40 girls) aged 4–6 years (M age = 5.48, SD = .57) took part in this study. Preschool children built a tower under competitive and NCC and expressed their perception of their performance and their satisfaction using a ladder scale and a faces scale, respectively. The results showed that the majority of preschool children evaluate their performance as ‘high' under both conditions independently of the outcome. Under competitive condition (CC), 52.5% of children evaluated their performance accurately, while under NCC this percentage was 47.5%. Furthermore, the majority of children responded that they felt happy under both conditions.

Keywords:

• kindergarten
• competition
• self-evaluation
• early years
• perceived ability

Notes on contributors

Angeliki Tsiakara is a kindergarten teacher with a master's degree in ‘Educational Sciences: Educational Material and Pedagogical Toys' and currently a Ph.D. student in pedagogical science at Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, Greece.

Nikolaos Digelidis is an Associate Professor in Teaching Physical Education, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, Greece. His research interests are learning environments at school settings, enhancing motivational climate in PE settings, conducting short-term or long-term school interventions, teaching styles and teacher education.